If Duran Duran fans went to Wednesday night’s concert at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans to relive their past while appreciating where they are in their lives today - they were not alone. That is exactly what Duran Duran did as a band.
One of the true pleasures of going to concerts today is reliving the past while living in the present and it was obvious that Duran Duran captured the past but made the audience feel - not like they were sad that the past was over - but happy that they could remember the past in relation to their lives today.
If Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Nick Rhodes show signs of living life - so does the audience. The unmistakable sensation of hearing the music of songs like, “Hungry Like The Wolf,” “Girls On Film,” and “The Reflex” while seeing the band on stage at this point in our lives is a comforting feeling and seems to give us permission to embrace the aging process.
Most of the audience that was there to experience Duran Duran’s “Future Past Tour” was in touch with their past, present, and future and the audience and the band proved that you don’t have to act your age. I hope the on-going playfulness between John Taylor and Nick Rhodes was not lost to the audience and later in the show Simon Le Bon joined in with gestures to Nick - who has not deviated from his stoic ambience behind his keyboards. At times - it seemed like the band was having more fun than the audience.
There was a relaxed presence about Duran Duran that projected an attitude that we are who we are and we accept it and while we take our music seriously - we will not take ourselves too seriously. That on-stage presence provided a great philosophic lesson for how we should all lead our lives.
The stars of Duran Duran are the trifecta of Simon Le Bon - lead vocals, John Taylor - bass, and Nick Rhodes - keyboards - but Roger Taylor - who sits low behind his drum kit and Dominic Brown - lead guitarist, Simon Willescroft - tenor sax, and back-up singers Rachael O’Connor and Anna Ross fill the stage with sound of Duran Duran we all remember.
Simon Le Bon’s voice has gotten better with moments of vibrato and he is still hitting the high notes. John Taylor was often lost in the music with his eyes closed and a look on his face like he was thrilled to still be playing their songs and it didn’t matter if the audience was there or not. As mentioned - Nick Rhodes remained a stoic figure behind his keys with a passive-aggressive persona letting us know that he was a key that held the band together. Duran Duran acted like they were performing the songs they have performed hundreds of times as if they were performing them for the first time.
In two surprising moments - the band broke with Duran Duran tradition and playfully performed “Super Freak” by Rick James and “White Lines” by The Sugarhill Gang. Those moments seemed to show that Duran Duran had embraced their legendary past - but was happy to put their fun side on display.
The most touching moment of the evening came when Simon Le Bon was introducing their 90s hit, “Ordinary World.” From a past interview with Simon and an interview with John the night before the show in New Orleans - both talked about how the band accepted that times had changed as they had changed as individuals. It was a coming-of-age song for the band that reflected how through life they had all experienced tragedy, loss, and disruption. John told me that they were very proud that Duran Duran could do a song like “Ordinary World” - showing that their music was about more than sex and debauchery.
Simon led into the song saying that we should all accept the lives we have - not the lives we dreamed of - not the lives we planned - but accept who we are today. He said that the song had brought them closer together as a band. Then he deviated and said they were dedicating “Ordinary World” to the people of Ukraine. Simon said, “All they want is to live their life. All they want is an “Ordinary World.” And then - the pensive instrumental beginning of the song filled the arena.
To their credit - Duran Duran knew the audience came there to hear the hits they remember - but the band did perform two songs from the new album - “Future Past” - “GIVE IT ALL UP” and “ANNIVERSARY.”
Musically - the songs were true to the signature Duran Duran sound - lyrically - the song captures who Duran Duran is today - and suggests who we all should be today.
“ANNIVERSARY”
Come celebrate this union
Come holy and unchained
How do you know, stay or go
Keep riding on the train
What does it take beneath the skin
To keep from letting go?
Some moments burned into the storm
And some you'll never know
All our days
Anniversary
Celebrate
Anniversary
Across the world
On radio for anyone to hear
We are the song, so bring it on
Once more be close and clear
Duran Duran seems eternally blessed with the goal of making the past part of who we are today and inspired by that goal - Duran Duran lives on!
